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Hey, speak up...you're breaking up...hello?
Pros
Feature Packed
Cons
Low battery life, no games
Recommended it?
Yes
?Absence makes the heart grow fonder?, some philosophers say. In an advanced world such as the one we live in today, we have prepared ourselves for the absence of someone and emergencies by the development of many excellent ways of communication. The primitive phone was invented as early as 1876, but we have gone wireless since then, allowing us to communicate across immense bodies of land and water. Today, even the cheapest of cell phones can be held comfortably in our hand. We came, we saw, we conquered!
Previously, I was skeptical about owning a cell phone, even branding it as a nuisance and an invitation to trouble. Realizing the amount of embarrassment and trouble it can bring its owner if it went off during a lecture, or worse, if it got lost, I vowed not to even lay my hands on one. Though stubborn, I eventually weakened and it dawned upon me that I really needed this device. Since public phones are so rare in Australia, (most of them will eat your coins and give you nothing?ouch) a phone in my pocket will naturally be an asset, something I can use at my disposal when I need to make an urgent call?now.
Many phones within my budget appealed to me, but nothing left a better first impression than the Ericsson T-18s, of which I am proud to say I own today, finally being blissfully groovy amongst other cell phone maniacs. With dimensions of 105mm x 49mm x 24mm, the Ericsson T-18s is relatively compact and fits easily into almost any pocket and even comes with a threaded hole for a clip that can be used to attach the phone to a belt. While petite, this phone still remains very functional and portable without being overly brittle. While it may not be the grooviest looking phone on the market, it serves its purpose in marvelous and fantastic ways. With several useful features thrown in, this phone gives its user significant advantages.
What?s in the Box?
-Ericsson T-18s cell phone with antenna (obviously)
-NiMh battery
This gives about 2-3 hours of talk time or standby time of about 5 days.
-Slim travel charger
-User guide
This is a very comprehensive manual that basically runs through the functions of your phone and gives hints on troubleshooting and more.
The Advantages and All the Other Good Stuff?
Active Flip
While the early Ericsson T-10s lacks this feature, it has been incorporated into this newer version. When enabled, this feature is advantageous in that it allows one to answer a call simply by lifting the flap (which also holds the microphone channel) and to end a call by closing it, especially helpful when I am busy and do not wish to fumble with the tiny keyboard. The flip is made of cheap plastic though, so never vent any frustration on it or you?ll lose it forever. (Disturb not the peace, or else you?ll find it in pieces. Ha!)
However, the flap has proven itself to be tougher than it looks, still in a perfect condition after four months of use. Even if the cover should break, do not fret. The actual microphone is inside the phone itself, the flip only holds the microphone channel. Additionally, the flap provides protection for the keys of the phone and the ?Key Lock? function is not necessary. As long as the flap is closed, the phone can be jostled around without the fear of accidental usage.
Voice Recognition
This nifty function brings the idea of ?voice commands? to life. The use of this function is pretty intuitive. At the left hand side of the phone are two keys that control the volume, but by pressing each one successively, it enables you to use the voice dialing function, prompting you to say the voice label. Having little faith in it at first, I never bothered to use it. ?Just another gimmick?, I told myself, until a friend alerted me to the effectiveness of this function. The voice-dialing feature was very precise, working even under noisy conditions in my friend?s car. The incredible accuracy of this function means that the voice recognition should work properly even at a noisy workplace. ?Sophisticated technology made simple? indeed!
Phone Book
The T-18s comes with a built-in phonebook that can hold 100 different numbers, enough for most average users, (I?ve had trouble even getting up to the 40 mark) and in some cases even the SIM card allows for more storage. Combined with the keypad, which can enter some 90 different characters as well as accented ones, the phonebook is versatile enough to store almost any name and number. The Call List works in conjunction with the Phone Book, recording the last 30 time and date of calls, incoming or outgoing. It allows one to take note of missed calls as well as other numbers that have not yet been entered into the Phone Book.
Dual Band
Also available on this phone is this useful feature, which allows you to (a) Make a call while another is on hold (b) Receive a call while another is in progress. Several more options exist that are operator dependent, but all of them require some practice before they can be used properly. All too often, I have placed someone on hold to answer the second call but then ended the first call by accident! Flexibility is always an advantage though. For busy executives who never want to miss a call, this is by far the most convenient backup plan. For others such as myself who talk for hours at a time on the phone, an incoming call simply alerts me to another two-hour chat with someone else?=)
Calculator and Alarm Clock
When activated, the alarm sounds at the stipulated time, regardless of whether the phone is switched on. The volume is dependent on the volume of the ring signal and it sounds for a minute after the time set, after which, like every good clock should, it rings every nine minutes till it is turned off. Please don?t laugh?this feature woke me up in time for my examination.
A calculator is also included for simple calculations. Unfortunately, this is really an in-built version of the standard run-of-the-mill calculator. It does not follow arithmetic laws but its strength lies in it being able to handle very large numbers. (6 numerals plus another 2 as exponential)
Ring Tones
The phone comes with 11 pre-made tones, ranging from the traditional (Low, Medium, High, Mix) to the newer types, (Melodies 1-7) with another 4 spaces for personal melodies, which can be quite easily composed with the keypad, and a little help from the User Manual. Interestingly, this phone also gives you the option to assign different ring tones to different numbers. This is something I have yet to try myself, but I guess it?s really time to get creative.
The Disadvantages and Other Things That Spoil the Show?
Using the Phone Book and sending SMS messages relies heavily on the keypad, but even this doesn?t help here. In the past six months since I bought the T-18s, I have found the keypad to be the biggest pain. Though most believe that sturdy keys are an advantage, it hardly justifies the stiffness of the keypad. Anyway, ?May the Force be with You?!
In some cases where the reception is very poor or non-existent, this phone appears to have a mind of its own and will turn itself off. This might help to save on the very short battery life, but very often I go through an entire day at school before realizing that the phone wasn?t even switched on. Obviously, I could have missed important calls in the process. Previous users of this phone have had similar complaints, so I?m definitely not alone.
Even though there are four spaces for one to compose ring signals, the choice of tones is extremely poor. I tried to compose the ?X-Files? theme before, but never made it. Unlike the very popular Nokia phones, this one doesn?t allow for many possible tunes. This phone also possesses a very small screen that only allows about three lines to be displayed. Evidently, it doesn?t support graphics and other interesting pictures that could make it more appealing. Screen-size related is another flaw that detracts from the value of this phone: it lacks games entirely! Though most busy executives rarely have time for a game of Snake, this phone should come with some games to make it more appealing to the younger generation. It?s no wonder that some of my friends chose to avoid the T-18s.
In the End?
Though the Ericsson T-18s is small and compact, it is surprisingly packed with many features, great and small, that make life easier for those who already have too much on their hands. It is lacking somewhat in the ?fun factor? but I think this should not be heavily penalized. Its other features can be very useful even though they may initially be difficult to use. It is important to bear in mind however, that the battery life is very short. The best defense against a total ?blackout? is to constantly carry a spare battery with you?other than that, happy yakking!
By: Andrew Lim
Revised 2-1-01
Previously, I was skeptical about owning a cell phone, even branding it as a nuisance and an invitation to trouble. Realizing the amount of embarrassment and trouble it can bring its owner if it went off during a lecture, or worse, if it got lost, I vowed not to even lay my hands on one. Though stubborn, I eventually weakened and it dawned upon me that I really needed this device. Since public phones are so rare in Australia, (most of them will eat your coins and give you nothing?ouch) a phone in my pocket will naturally be an asset, something I can use at my disposal when I need to make an urgent call?now.
Many phones within my budget appealed to me, but nothing left a better first impression than the Ericsson T-18s, of which I am proud to say I own today, finally being blissfully groovy amongst other cell phone maniacs. With dimensions of 105mm x 49mm x 24mm, the Ericsson T-18s is relatively compact and fits easily into almost any pocket and even comes with a threaded hole for a clip that can be used to attach the phone to a belt. While petite, this phone still remains very functional and portable without being overly brittle. While it may not be the grooviest looking phone on the market, it serves its purpose in marvelous and fantastic ways. With several useful features thrown in, this phone gives its user significant advantages.
What?s in the Box?
-Ericsson T-18s cell phone with antenna (obviously)
-NiMh battery
This gives about 2-3 hours of talk time or standby time of about 5 days.
-Slim travel charger
-User guide
This is a very comprehensive manual that basically runs through the functions of your phone and gives hints on troubleshooting and more.
The Advantages and All the Other Good Stuff?
Active Flip
While the early Ericsson T-10s lacks this feature, it has been incorporated into this newer version. When enabled, this feature is advantageous in that it allows one to answer a call simply by lifting the flap (which also holds the microphone channel) and to end a call by closing it, especially helpful when I am busy and do not wish to fumble with the tiny keyboard. The flip is made of cheap plastic though, so never vent any frustration on it or you?ll lose it forever. (Disturb not the peace, or else you?ll find it in pieces. Ha!)
However, the flap has proven itself to be tougher than it looks, still in a perfect condition after four months of use. Even if the cover should break, do not fret. The actual microphone is inside the phone itself, the flip only holds the microphone channel. Additionally, the flap provides protection for the keys of the phone and the ?Key Lock? function is not necessary. As long as the flap is closed, the phone can be jostled around without the fear of accidental usage.
Voice Recognition
This nifty function brings the idea of ?voice commands? to life. The use of this function is pretty intuitive. At the left hand side of the phone are two keys that control the volume, but by pressing each one successively, it enables you to use the voice dialing function, prompting you to say the voice label. Having little faith in it at first, I never bothered to use it. ?Just another gimmick?, I told myself, until a friend alerted me to the effectiveness of this function. The voice-dialing feature was very precise, working even under noisy conditions in my friend?s car. The incredible accuracy of this function means that the voice recognition should work properly even at a noisy workplace. ?Sophisticated technology made simple? indeed!
Phone Book
The T-18s comes with a built-in phonebook that can hold 100 different numbers, enough for most average users, (I?ve had trouble even getting up to the 40 mark) and in some cases even the SIM card allows for more storage. Combined with the keypad, which can enter some 90 different characters as well as accented ones, the phonebook is versatile enough to store almost any name and number. The Call List works in conjunction with the Phone Book, recording the last 30 time and date of calls, incoming or outgoing. It allows one to take note of missed calls as well as other numbers that have not yet been entered into the Phone Book.
Dual Band
Also available on this phone is this useful feature, which allows you to (a) Make a call while another is on hold (b) Receive a call while another is in progress. Several more options exist that are operator dependent, but all of them require some practice before they can be used properly. All too often, I have placed someone on hold to answer the second call but then ended the first call by accident! Flexibility is always an advantage though. For busy executives who never want to miss a call, this is by far the most convenient backup plan. For others such as myself who talk for hours at a time on the phone, an incoming call simply alerts me to another two-hour chat with someone else?=)
Calculator and Alarm Clock
When activated, the alarm sounds at the stipulated time, regardless of whether the phone is switched on. The volume is dependent on the volume of the ring signal and it sounds for a minute after the time set, after which, like every good clock should, it rings every nine minutes till it is turned off. Please don?t laugh?this feature woke me up in time for my examination.
A calculator is also included for simple calculations. Unfortunately, this is really an in-built version of the standard run-of-the-mill calculator. It does not follow arithmetic laws but its strength lies in it being able to handle very large numbers. (6 numerals plus another 2 as exponential)
Ring Tones
The phone comes with 11 pre-made tones, ranging from the traditional (Low, Medium, High, Mix) to the newer types, (Melodies 1-7) with another 4 spaces for personal melodies, which can be quite easily composed with the keypad, and a little help from the User Manual. Interestingly, this phone also gives you the option to assign different ring tones to different numbers. This is something I have yet to try myself, but I guess it?s really time to get creative.
The Disadvantages and Other Things That Spoil the Show?
Using the Phone Book and sending SMS messages relies heavily on the keypad, but even this doesn?t help here. In the past six months since I bought the T-18s, I have found the keypad to be the biggest pain. Though most believe that sturdy keys are an advantage, it hardly justifies the stiffness of the keypad. Anyway, ?May the Force be with You?!
In some cases where the reception is very poor or non-existent, this phone appears to have a mind of its own and will turn itself off. This might help to save on the very short battery life, but very often I go through an entire day at school before realizing that the phone wasn?t even switched on. Obviously, I could have missed important calls in the process. Previous users of this phone have had similar complaints, so I?m definitely not alone.
Even though there are four spaces for one to compose ring signals, the choice of tones is extremely poor. I tried to compose the ?X-Files? theme before, but never made it. Unlike the very popular Nokia phones, this one doesn?t allow for many possible tunes. This phone also possesses a very small screen that only allows about three lines to be displayed. Evidently, it doesn?t support graphics and other interesting pictures that could make it more appealing. Screen-size related is another flaw that detracts from the value of this phone: it lacks games entirely! Though most busy executives rarely have time for a game of Snake, this phone should come with some games to make it more appealing to the younger generation. It?s no wonder that some of my friends chose to avoid the T-18s.
In the End?
Though the Ericsson T-18s is small and compact, it is surprisingly packed with many features, great and small, that make life easier for those who already have too much on their hands. It is lacking somewhat in the ?fun factor? but I think this should not be heavily penalized. Its other features can be very useful even though they may initially be difficult to use. It is important to bear in mind however, that the battery life is very short. The best defense against a total ?blackout? is to constantly carry a spare battery with you?other than that, happy yakking!
By: Andrew Lim
Revised 2-1-01
